Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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505. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 586 of 28 April 2021, if she will ensure that behaviour analysts within special schools for children with autism and complex needs are retained in the entirety of the sector in view of the situation (details supplied) in County Kildare; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there are seven weeks left in this school year and planning for September 2021 onwards is not possible without confirmation as to the status of behaviour analysts going forward; if an extension has been confirmed; and if so, the date on which schools will be notified. [26350/21]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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My Department previously funded 13 centres through an ABA pilot scheme for the period 1999-2011.  All of these centres applied for and were granted recognition as Special Schools for children with Autism and now form part of the network of special schools. A transitional agreement was put in place between the Department and Patrons of these schools to manage this process.

As part of the transitional agreement my Department provides grant funding to these schools to engage behaviour practitioners. This arrangement has been extended for the forthcoming school year

The post holders in question are privately employed/engaged and retained under contract by the Special Schools concerned and do not have a contractual relationship with my Department. For this reason my Department was not party to the Labour Court proceedings referenced by the Deputy.